Bishop Chairman for Social Communications and Research Commission of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM), His Lordship George Tambala has challenged agents of evangelisation to embrace the use of Information, Communication Technology (ICT) and sharing the word of God and what the Church is doing.
Bishop Tambala was speaking in Mangochi, Wednesday, when he opened a three-day workshop for Pastoral and Communication Secretaries from all the eight Catholic dioceses in Malawi.
Others who attended the workshop included representatives of the Association of Catholic Journalists in Malawi, Rectors from Kachebere and St. Peter’s Major Seminary and directors of Catholic Media Houses in Malawi.
“This workshop tackles real and pertinent issues that affect all of us ranging from the Seminary formation to the issues affecting people on the ground out there.
First and foremost, I would love it if this meeting could help to remind us that we all need each other, none of us is an island, an autonomous and independent ‘I,’ separated from the other, and we can only build the future by standing together, including everyone, “he said.
Bishop Tambala who is also the Bishop for the Diocese of Zomba said the modern world is being affected by the development of Information Communication Technology (ICT).
He said some people have embraced this well and are benefiting from the fruits of ICT.
“Others have not yet welcomed this new baby, still more others have embraced it but misuse it. Hence our gathering here to put our heads together on how we can help people embrace ICT and use it responsibly,” said Bishop Tambala.
While quoting what Pope Francis said during this year’s World Communication Day,Bishop Tambala said :“News can be good or bad, true or false; let us pray so that communication, in all of its forms, be effectively constructive, at the service of truth, may it reject prejudice and spread hope and trust in our time.”
One of the facilitators to the workshop, Fr. Andrew Kaufa said time has come that the Church through its agents adapt to the use of social platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Blogs and Skype.
“Obviously, these require us Church media to invest in ICT gadgets such as: Internet, Computers, Laptops, Smartphones, Tablets, Ipads,” said Fr. Kaufa who is also the director of Luntha Television of the Catholic Church.
National Communication Secretary at ECM, Fr. Godino Phokoso said the workshop was mainly aimed at orienting participants on the advantages and disadvantages of new media technologies within the Church set up.
The workshop was financially supported by SIGNIS, an association of Catholic Communicators worldwide.
By Prince Henderson, ECM